Natural killer cell stimulatory factor

ABSTRACT

A novel homogeneous human cytokine, Natural Killer Stimulatory Factor, having the ability to induce the production of gamma interferon in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and a pharmaceutical preparation containing it.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/584,941, filed Sep. 18, 1990 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,038, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/307,817, filed on Feb. 7, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/269,945, filed Nov. 10, 1988, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a novel cytokine that stimulates the function of natural killer cells and other cells of the immune system, and to processes for obtaining the factor in homogeneous form and producing it by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes active in the immune system and representing an average 15% of mononuclear cells in human peripheral blood [G. Trinchieri and B. Perussia, Lab. Invest., 50:489 (1984)]. Among the surface markers used to identify human NK cells is a receptor binding with low affinity to the Fc fragment of IgG antibodies, such as Fc-gamma receptor III or CD16 antigen [B. Perussia et al, J. Immunol., 133:180 (1984)]. NK cells have been demonstrated to play an important role in vivo in the defense against tumors, tumor metastases, virus infection, and to regulate normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

A growing family of regulatory proteins that deliver signals between cells of the immune system has been identified. These regulatory molecules are known as cytokines. Many of the cytokines have been found to control the growth, development and biological activities of cells of the hematopoietic and immune systems. These regulatory molecules include all of the colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, and multi CSF or interleukin-3), the interleukins (IL-1 through IL-11), the interferons (alpha, beta and gamma), the tumor necrosis factors (alpha and beta) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). These cytokines exhibit a wide range of biologic activities with target cells from bone marrow, peripheral blood, fetal liver, and other lymphoid or hematopoietic organs. See, e.g., G. Wong and S. Clark, Immunology Today, 9(5):137 (1988).

The biochemical and biological identification and characterization of certain cytokines was hampered by the small quantities of the naturally occurring factors available from natural sources, e.g., blood and urine. Many of the cytokines have recently been molecularly cloned, heterologously expressed and purified to homogeneity. [D. Metcalf, "The Molecular Biology and Functions of the Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factors," Blood, 67(2):257-267 (1986).] Among these cytokines are gamma interferon, human and murine GM-CSF, human G-CSF, human CSF-1 and human and murine IL-3. Several of these purified factors have been found to demonstrate regulatory effects on the hematopoietic and immune systems in vivo, including GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-3 and IL-2.

There remains a need in the art for additional proteins purified from their natural sources or otherwise produced in homogeneous form, which are capable of stimulating or enhancing immune responsiveness and are suitable for pharmaceutical use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention provides a novel human natural killer stimulatory factor, called NKSF, which is substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Active NKSF has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 70-80 kD. Pure preparations of NKSF reveal the presence of two polypeptides, subunits of approximately 40 kD and 30 kD, which, when associated, yield active NKSF. It is presently speculated that NKSF is a heterodimer formed by association of both the larger and smaller subunits through one or more disulfide bonds. This apparent heterodimeric structure can be generated by association of the two individual subunits.

The active, approximately 70-80 kD, NKSF is further characterized by containing all or a portion of the amino acid sequences of FIGS. 1A-1D and/or 2A-2C below. Additionally, one or more of nine sequences of amino acids is present in the primary sequence of either the larger or smaller of the NKSF subunits. These nine amino acid fragments are listed and discussed in detail below.

The larger subunit polypeptide of NKSF is characterized by having an apparent molecular weight of 40 kD. This subunit is further characterized by having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as described in FIGS. 1A-1D, containing the N-terminal sequence:

Ile-Trp-Glu-Leu-Lys-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr-Val-Val-Glu-Leu-Asp-Trp-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Ala-Pro-Gly-Glu-Met. This N-terminal amino acid sequence corresponds to amino acids #23-45 of FIGS. 1A-1D. This polypeptide is further characterized by containing six of the nine amino acid fragments.

The smaller polypeptide subunit of NKSF is characterized by an apparent molecular weight of approximately 30-35 kD. Two cDNA sequences have been identified for the smaller subunit. The shorter of the two sequences is substantially contained within the longer sequence in plasmid p35nksf14-1-1, illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. The smaller subunit is further characterized by having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as described in FIGS. 2A-2C, containing the following N-terminal sequence:

Arg-Asn-Leu-Pro-Val-Ala-Thr-Pro-Asp-Pro-Gly-Met-Phe-Pro. This fragment corresponds to underlined amino acids #57-70 of the p35nksf14-1-1 clone.

This smaller polypeptide is further characterized by containing three of the nine fragments of amino acids identified by underlining in FIGS. 2A-2C.

NKSF displays biological activity in inducing the production of gamma interferon in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). In homogeneous form, NKSF is characterized by a specific activity of greater than 1×10⁷ dilution units per milligram in the gamma interferon induction assay, described in detail below.

In addition to the induction of gamma interferon in PBLs, NKSF demonstrates the following biological activities:

(1) biological activity in a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inducing assay with PBLs;

(2) biological activity in activating Natural Killer (NK) cells to kill leukemia and tumor-derived cells;

(3) biological activity in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inducing assay with phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated T lymphocytes;

(4) co-mitogenic activity with peripheral blood T lymphocytes; and

(5) synergizes with IL-2 in inducing γ IFN production in PBLs and maintaining PBL proliferation.

Another aspect of the invention includes DNA sequences comprising cDNA sequences encoding the expression of a human NKSF polypeptide, a human NKSF larger subunit polypeptide, and a human NKSF smaller subunit polypeptide. Such sequences include a sequence of nucleotides encoding one or more of the subunits and peptide sequences described above.

Also provided by the present invention is a vector containing a DNA sequence encoding NKSF or a subunit of NKSF in operative association with an expression control sequence. Host cells transformed with such vectors for use in producing recombinant NKSF or its recombinant subunits are also provided by the present invention.

As still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided recombinant NKSF protein. This protein is free from other mammalian proteinaceous materials and is characterized by the presence of a DNA sequence encoding one or more of the above-described subunits or peptide fragments containing one or more of the above-described physical, biochemical or biological activities or characteristics.

Another aspect of this invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing a therapeutically effective amount of homogeneous or recombinant NKSF, or an effective amount of one or both of the subunits of NKSF, or of one or more of the peptide fragments thereof. These pharmaceutical compositions may be employed in methods for treating cancer, viral infections, such as AIDS, bacterial infections, and other disease states responsive to the enhanced presence of gamma interferon or GM-CSF production. Thus, generally this factor may be employed in the treatment of diseases in which stimulation of immune function might be beneficial.

A further aspect of the invention, therefore, is a method for treating cancer and/or other pathological states which may benefit from enhanced natural killer cell functions by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of NKSF or one or both of its subunits or peptide fragments thereof in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. These therapeutic methods may include administering simultaneously or sequentially with NKSF or one or more of its subunits or peptide fragments an effective amount of at least one other cytokine, hematopoietin, interleukin, growth factor, or antibody. Specifically, the administration of NKSF or one or more of its subunits with IL-2 has demonstrated synergistic effects. Because of the synergy with IL-2 in vitro, this interleukin might be particularly effective in combination with NKSF.

Still a further aspect of the present invention is a process for producing homogeneous NKSF, or a subunit thereof from a human cell line producing NKSF or a subunit thereof in admixture with other proteins and polypeptides. This process of production provided by the present invention includes culturing selected cells capable of producing NKSF, its subunits, or peptide fragments thereof to obtain conditioned medium and purifying the conditioned medium through five primary purification steps.

The vectors and transformed cells of the invention are employed in another aspect, a novel process for producing recombinant human NKSF protein, a subunit thereof or peptide fragments thereof. In this process a cell line transformed with a DNA sequence encoding on expression NKSF protein, a subunit thereof or a peptide fragment thereof in operative association with an expression control sequence therefore is cultured. This claimed process may employ a number of known cells as host cells for expression of the polypeptide. Presently preferred cell lines are mammalian cell lines and bacterial cells.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D is a nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the 40 kD subunit of NKSF.

FIGS. 2A-2C is a nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the 30 kD subunit of NKSF.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novel human natural killer cell stimulatory factor, NKSF, provided by the present invention is a homogeneous protein or proteinaceous composition substantially free of association with other mammalian proteinaceous materials.

Natural killer stimulatory factor has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 70-80 kD as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under non-reducing conditions. This 70-80 kD peptide is active in a gamma interferon induction assay.

Under reducing conditions in SDS-PAGE, the 70-80 kD band yields two smaller subunits with apparent molecular weights of approximately 40 kD (larger subunit) and approximately 30-35 kD (smaller subunit). For both subunits individually, the biological activity in the same gamma interferon induction assay is substantially lost compared to that of the native 70-80 kD species. The amino terminal sequences identified above were originally determined from the 40 kD reduced species and the 30-35 kD reduced species believed to be the subunits of the NKSF heterodimer. It is presently believed that NKSF is a disulfide-bonded heterodimer of the larger and smaller subunits. However, it is also possible that one or both of these subunits, when present alone, may have biological activity.

NKSF is, at least in part, an anionic glycoprotein. Under isoelectric focusing, two species of the NKSF are observed having isoelectric points of 4.3 and 4.8. It is presently speculated that the two species differ in glycosylation patterns.

NKSF is primarily characterized by biological activity in the gamma interferon induction assay described in detail in Example 8 below. Among its other biological activities include the ability to induce GM-CSF production by human peripheral blood lymphocytes. [See, e.g., published PCT application WO86/00639 for additional information on GM-CSF]. NKSF also has an enhancing effect on the mitogenic activity of various mitogens, such as lectins and phorbol diesters, on peripheral blood T lymphocytes and has a growth promoting effect on activated human tonsillar B cells. NKSF has also been observed to enhance NK cell functions to kill leukemia and tumor-derived cells in vitro using a spontaneous cell cytotoxicity assay and an antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay.

In a spontaneous cell cytotoxicity assay, human peripheral blood lymphocytes or purified NK cells are incubated in the presence of NKSF for a period of 8 to 18 hours. Lymphocytes and NK cells are then assayed in a standard ⁵¹ Cr-release assay for their ability to lyse target cells such as leukemia cell lines, tumor-derived cell lines, or virus-infected fibroblasts. NKSF dramatically increases the ability of NK cells to lyse such target cells at a level comparable to that obtained with interferon alpha and IL-2, well known activators of NK cell cytotoxic activity [See, e.g., G. Trinchieri et al, J. Exp. Med., 147:1314 (1978) and G. Trinchieri et al, J. Exp. Med., 160:1146 (1984)].

In an ADCC assay target cancer cells are coated with antibodies capable of binding to the Fc receptor on NK cells, e.g., IgG_(2a), IgG₃ and the like. In preliminary assays, the presence of NKSF appears to enhance the killing activity of the NK cells for the coated tumor cells in ADCC. [See, e.g., L. M. Weiner et al, Cancer Res., 48:2568-2573 (1988); P. Hersey et al, Cancer Res., 46:6083-6090 (1988); and C. J. Hansik et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 83:7893-97 (1986) for additional information on ADCC.]

Preliminary analysis of NKSF in a B-cell growth factor assay using normal human B cells stimulated with goat anti-human IgM antibody (anti-μ) coupled to beads indicates that NKSF may also be characterized by B cell growth factor activity. In this assay the antibody directed against the IgM immunoglobulin on the surface of the B cell activates the B cell and causes it to become responsive to B cell growth factors. [See, C-T K. Tseng et al, J. Immunol., 140:2305-2311 (1988)]. Such antibodies are commercially available.

NKSF was originally detected in the conditioned medium of the human cell line, RPMI 8866, a commercially available cell line [University of Pennsylvania Cell Center] which produces a mixture of lymphokines. This factor may also be produced by other Epstein Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines or from other human cell lines. The RPMI 8866 cell line produces the factor spontaneously, but the level of production can be enhanced by treating the cell line with phorbol esters, such as phorbol dibutyrate. The cells deprived of serum for 48 hours still produce NKSF along with other lymphokines. Procedures for culturing RPMI 8866 (see Example 1) or another cell source of NKSF are known to those of skill in the art.

The purification technique employed in obtaining NKSF from cells which naturally produce it, uses the following steps. These steps include purification through an ion exchange column, e.g., QAE Zeta preparative cartridge [LKB Pharmacea], which indicates that the NKSF protein is anionic. The second purification step is a lentil lectin column which demonstrates that NKSF is, at least in part, a glycoprotein. The eluate from the lentil lectin column is further purified through a hydroxylapatite column, followed by a heparin sepharose column and a fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) Mono-Q column. The NKSF from RPMI 8866 eluted as a single peak in each of the three latter columns. A remaining protein contaminant of about 37 kD is removed by gel filtration chromatography alone or reverse phase HPLC and gel filtration chromatography. The resulting purified homogeneous NKSF was assayed for biological activity in the gamma interferon induction assay of Example 8 and demonstrated a specific activity of greater than 1×10⁷ dilution units per milligram.

Thus, the homogeneous NKSF may be obtained by applying the above purification procedures, which are described in detail in Example 2 to the conditioned medium of RPMI 8866 or other sources of human NKSF.

NKSF, one or both of its subunits, or peptide fragments thereof may also be produced via recombinant techniques, e.g., by culturing under suitable conditions a host cell transfected with DNA sequences encoding the larger and/or smaller subunit in operative association with a regulatory control sequence capable of directing expression thereof.

The DNA sequences for cloned NKSF and its subunits were originally isolated by preparing tryptic digests of the homogeneous polypeptide. For example, the nine tryptic fragments originally found in NKSF are identified below:

Fragment 1: Leu-Thr-Ile-Gln-Val

Fragment 2: Lys-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Tyr-Thr

Fragment 3: Ile-Trp-Glu-Leu-Lys

Fragment 4: Leu-Met-Asp-Pro-Lys

Fragment 5: Val-Met-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Asn-Ala

Fragment 6: Ala-Val-Ser-Asn-Met-Leu-Gln-Lys

Fragment 7: Asn-Ala-Ser-Ile-Ser-Val

Fragment 8: Thr-Phe-Leu-Arg

Fragment 9: Asp-Ile-Ile-Lys-Pro-Asp-Pro-Pro-Lys.

Fragments 4, 5 and 6 have been identified as being located within the smaller or 30 kD subunit. These sequences correspond to the underlined amino acids #179-184, 246-252, and 81-86, respectively, of the p35nksf14-1-1 clone illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. Fragments 1-3 and 7-9 have been identified as being located within the larger, 40 kD, NKSF subunit. Amino acid sequences corresponding to Fragment 1 (amino acids #75-79); Fragment 2 (amino acids #219-224); Fragment 3 (amino acids #23-27); Fragment 7 (amino acids #303-308); Fragment 8 (amino acids #127-130); and Fragment 9 (amino acids #231-239) are underlined in FIGS. 1A-1D. Additionally, the amino terminal sequences of the larger and smaller subunits of NKSF were identified as described below in Example 5 and are underlined in FIGS. 1A-1D (#23-45) and FIGS. 2A-2C (#57-70), respectively.

Oligonucleotide probes were synthesized using the genetic code to predict all possible sequences that encode the amino acid sequences of these tryptic digestion products of NKSF. The same procedure may be followed by constructing probes from the above-identified amino terminal sequences of the two subunits of NKSF. The NKSF subunit genes can be identified by using these probes to screen a human genomic library. Alternatively, the mRNA from RPMI 8866 or another cell source of NKSF can be used to make a cDNA library which can be screened with the probes to identify the cDNAs encoding the polypeptides of the NKSF large and small subunits. Once the cDNAs were identified, they were introduced into an expression vector to make an expression system for NKSF, or one or both of its subunits.

By such use of recombinant techniques, DNA sequences encoding the polypeptides of the NKSF large and small subunit were obtained, which contain DNA sequences encoding the tryptic fragments or the amino terminal sequences identified above.

One NKSF clone, named pNK40-4, has the DNA and amino acid sequences presented in FIGS. 1A-1D and codes for all or a portion of the larger NKSF subunit.

This cloned sequence in plasmid pNK40-4 was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. on Jul. 31, 1990 under accession number 40854. A prior partial clone of-this larger fragment, containing the N-terminal non-coding region through sequence containing up to approximately nucleotide #888, was called pNK-6 and deposited with the ATCC on Feb. 3, 1989 under ATCC No. 40545. Another partial clone of the larger subunit, pNK162 was sequenced and contains the sequence from nucleotides #643 to 2362 of FIGS. 1A-1D. This clone is maintained at the labs of Genetics Institute, Inc.

Two independent cDNA clones were identified which encode the sequence of the small (30-35 kD) subunit of NKSF. The longer clone (designated p35nksf14-1-1) is shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. The shorter clone (designated p35nksf9-1-1) begins at nucleotide #133 (indicated by *) and ends at nucleotide #1335 (indicated by *) of FIGS. 2A-2C and the deposited sequence. Between those two nucleotides, the smaller clone is identical to the sequence of FIGS. 2A-2C except for 5 nucleotide changes in the 3' non-coding region. This shorter clone thus has a coding sequence beginning with Met (amino acid #35) in FIGS. 2A-2C. The additional sequence at the 5' end of p35nksf14-1-1 encodes an in-frame initiation codon (ATG) 34 residues 5' of the operative initiation codon in p35nksf9-1-1.

Both of these clones encode all of the peptide sequences identified in the tryptic digest of purified NKSF, which were not found in the 40 kD subunit protein, as well as the amino terminal sequence of the purified 30 kB subunit. These sequences are underlined in FIGS. 2A-2C. The clones contain the coding sequence for two possible versions of the 30-35 kD subunit of NKSF depending on whether translation begins with Met #1 or Met #35 in FIGS. 2A-2C. However, because the 30-35 kD protein subunit of NKSF is believed to be generated by cleavage following Ala (amino acid #56), both sequences should yield the same mature protein. The sequence of p35nksf14-1-1 was deposited with the ATCC on Sep. 11, 1990 under accession number 40886.

Sequence from p35nksf9-1-1 (from the Pst I site underlined in FIGS. 2A-2C to the Pst I site in the Bluescript polylinker sequence), when introduced into Cos cells in the expression vector pEMC3(1) along with a plasmid expressing the 40 kD subunit, yielded biologically active NKSF. This material was active in the same bioassays used to test natural NKSF as discussed below. This sequence may be obtained from p35nksf14-1-1 by digestion with Pst I. Alternatively the cloned sequence of plasmid p35nksf9-1-1, containing the shorter 30-35 kD subunit sequence, is being maintained at the laboratories of Genetics Institute, CambridgePark, Mass. and will be made available to the public upon grant of the patent.

A cDNA suitable for expression of the longer version of the 30-35 kD subunit may be obtained from the p35nksf14-1-1 deposited clone by digestion with SalI and NotI. The longer 30-35 kD subunit contains an earlier Met (amino acid #1) codon, additional 5' coding and non-coding sequences as well as 3' non-coding sequence. The sequence from Met (amino acid #35) to the N-terminus of the mature protein (encoded by both cDNAs) encodes a sequence which resembles a signal peptide and may direct the proper folding and/or secretion of the subunit. It is therefore possible that the longer 30-35 kD subunit sequence may be more efficiently expressed and secreted by the Cos cells than the shorter version. It may also fold differently, thereby conferring NKSF activity independent of the presence of the 40 kD subunit.

FIGS. 2A-2C indicates the placement of polylinker sequence in the deposited clone, as well as the first and last nucleotide of the larger and smaller versions of this subunit. Also indicated in the sequence are the 5' PstI site for obtaining the sequence of the small subunit which has been expressed and underlined tryptic fragment sequences.

Allelic variations of DNA sequences encoding the peptide sequences and the large and small subunits described above are also included in the present invention as well as analogs or derivatives thereof.

Thus the present invention also encompasses these novel DNA sequences, free of association with DNA sequences encoding other primate proteins, and coding on expression for NKSF polypeptides, including those of its large and small subunits. These DNA sequences include those containing one or more of the above-identified DNA and peptide sequences and those sequences which hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions [see, T. Maniatis et al, Molecular Cloning (A Laboratory Manual), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1982), pages 387 to 389] to the DNA sequences. An example of one such stringent hybridization condition is hybridization at 4XSSC at 65° C., followed by a washing in 0.1XSSC at 65° C. for an hour. Alternatively an exemplary stringent hybridization condition is in 50% formamide, 4XSSC at 42° C.

DNA sequences which hybridize to the sequences for NKSF or its subunits under relaxed hybridization conditions and which code on expression for NKSF peptides having NKSF biological properties also encode novel NKSF polypeptides. Examples of such non-stringent hybridization conditions are 4XSSC at 50° C. or hybridization with 30-40% formamide at 42° C. For example, a DNA sequence which shares regions of significant homology, e.g., sites of glycosylation or disulfide linkages, with the sequences of NKSF and encodes a protein having one or more NKSF biological properties clearly encodes a NKSF polypeptide even if such a DNA sequence would not stringently hybridize to the NKSF sequences.

Similarly, DNA sequences which code for NKSF polypeptides coded for by the sequence of NKSF, but which differ in codon sequence due to the degeneracies of the genetic code or allelic variations (naturally-occurring base changes in the species population which may or may not result in an amino acid change) are also encompassed by this invention. Variations in the DNA sequence of NKSF which are caused by point mutations or by induced modifications to enhance the activity, half-life or production of the polypeptides encoded thereby are also encompassed in the invention.

NKSF polypeptides may also be produced by known conventional chemical synthesis. Methods for constructing the polypeptides of the present invention by synthetic means are known to those of skill in the art. The synthetically-constructed NKSF polypeptide sequences, by virtue of sharing primary, secondary, or tertiary structural and conformational characteristics with NKSF polypeptides may possess NKSF biological properties in common therewith. Thus, they may be employed as biologically active or immunological substitutes for natural, purified NKSF polypeptides in therapeutic and immunological processes.

The NKSF polypeptides provided herein also include factors encoded by sequences similar to those of purified homogeneous and recombinant NKSF protein, or the subunit polypeptides, but into which modifications are naturally provided or deliberately engineered. Modifications in the peptides or DNA sequences can be made by one skilled in the art using known techniques. Modifications of interest in the NKSF sequences may include the replacement, insertion or deletion of a selected amino acid residue in the coding sequences. Mutagenic techniques for such replacement, insertion or deletion are well known to one skilled in the art. [See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,584.]

Other specific mutations of the sequences of the NKSF polypeptide or the subunit polypeptides described herein may involve modifications of a glycosylation site. The absence of glycosylation or only partial glycosylation results from amino acid substitution or deletion at any asparagine-linked glycosylation recognition site or at any site of the molecule that is modified by addition of O-linked carbohydrate. An asparagine-linked glycosylation recognition site comprises a tripeptide sequence which is specifically recognized by appropriate cellular glycosylation enzymes. These tripeptide sequences are either asparagine-X-threonine or asparagine-X-serine, where X is usually any amino acid. A variety of amino acid substitutions or deletions at one or both of the first or third amino acid positions of a glycosylation recognition site (and/or amino acid deletion at the second position) results in non-glycosylation at the modified tripeptide sequence.

Expression of such altered nucleotide sequences produces variants which are not glycosylated at that site.

Other analogs and derivatives of the sequence of NKSF or of its subunits which would be expected to retain NKSF activity in whole or in part may also be easily made by one of skill in the art given the disclosures herein. One such modification may be the attachment of polyethylene glycol onto existing lysine residues or the insertion of a lysine residue into the sequence by conventional techniques to enable the attachment. Such modifications are believed to be encompassed by this invention.

The present invention also provides a method for producing NKSF polypeptides. The method of the present invention involves culturing a suitable cell or cell line, which has been transformed with a DNA sequence coding on expression for an NKSF polypeptide or subunit, under the control of known regulatory sequences. Preferably DNA sequences for both subunits are transformed into a host cell.

Suitable cells or cell lines may be mammalian cells, such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or 3T3 cells. The selection of suitable mammalian host cells and methods for transformation, culture, amplification, screening and product production and purification are known in the art. See, e.g., Gething and Sambrook, Nature, 293:620-625 (1981), or alternatively, Kaufman et al, Mol. Cell. Biol., 5(7):1750-1759 (1985) or Howley et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,446. Expression of two different DNAs simultaneously in CHO cells has been described, for example, in published PCT International Application WO88/08035. Other suitable mammalian cell lines, are the monkey COS-1 cell line, and the CV-1 cell line, originally developed at the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.

Similarly useful as host cells suitable for the present invention are bacterial cells. For example, the various strains of E. coli (e.g., HB101, MC1061 and strains used in the following examples) are well-known as host cells in the field of biotechnology. Various strains of B. subtilis, Pseudomonas, other bacilli and the like may also be employed in this method.

Many strains of yeast cells known to those skilled in the art are also available as host cells for expression of the polypeptides of the present invention. Additionally, where desired, insect cells may be utilized as host cells in the method of the present invention. See, e.g. Miller et al, Genetic Engineering, 8:277-298 (Plenum Press 1986) and references cited therein.

The present invention also provides vectors for use in the method of expression of novel NKSF polypeptides. These vectors contain the novel NKSF DNA sequences which code for NKSF polypeptides of the invention, including the subunit polypeptides. Alternatively, vectors incorporating modified sequences as described above are also embodiments of the present invention and useful in the production of NKSF polypeptides. The vector employed in the method also contains selected regulatory sequences in operative association with the DNA coding sequences of the invention and capable of directing the replication and expression thereof in selected host cells.

Thus NKSF, purified to homogeneity from cell sources or produced recombinantly or synthetically, may be used in a pharmaceutical preparation or formulation to treat cancer or other disease states which respond to enhanced NK cell activity or increased in vivo production of gamma interferon or GM-CSF. Such pathological states may result from disease, exposure to radiation or drugs, and include for example, leukopenia, bacterial and viral infections, anemia, B cell or T cell deficiencies including immune cell or hematopoietic cell deficiency following a bone marrow transplantation. Therapeutic treatment of cancer and other diseases with these NKSF polypeptide compositions may avoid undesirable side effects caused by treatment with presently available drugs. The NKSF polypeptide compositions according to the present invention may also be used in the treatment of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other viral infections, particularly non-responsive viral infections, as well as bacterial infections.

It may also be possible to employ one or both of the subunit polypeptides of NKSF or peptide fragments thereof in such pharmaceutical formulations.

The polypeptides of the present invention may also be employed, alone or in combination with other cytokines, hematopoietins, interleukins, growth factors or antibodies in the treatment of cancer or other disease states. For example, NKSF polypeptides have been shown to have a synergistic effect when administered in connection with IL-2. This is expected to be useful in the treatment of infections, particularly viral infections and cancers. Other uses for these novel polypeptides are in the development of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies generated by standard methods for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

Therefore, as yet another aspect of the invention are methods and therapeutic compositions for treating the conditions referred to above. Such compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of the NKSF protein or a subunit polypeptide or therapeutically effective fragment thereof of the present invention in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This composition can be systemically administered parenterally. Alternatively, the composition may be administered intravenously. If desirable, the composition may be administered subcutaneously. When systematically administered, the therapeutic composition for use in this invention is in the form of a pyrogen-free, parenterally acceptable aqueous solution. The preparation of such a pharmaceutically acceptable protein solution, having due regard to pH, isotonicity, stability and the like, is within the skill of the art.

The dosage regimen involved in a method for treating the above-described conditions will be determined by the attending physician considering various factors which modify the action of drugs, e.g. the condition, body weight, sex and diet of the patient, the severity of any infection, time of administration and other clinical factors. Generally, the daily regimen should be in the range of 1-1000 micrograms of NKSF protein or subunit thereof or 50 to 5000 units (i.e., one unit per ml being the concentration of protein which leads to half maximal stimulation in the gamma interferon induction assay) of protein per kilogram of body weight.

The therapeutic method and compositions of the present invention may also include co-administration with other human factors. Exemplary cytokines or hematopoietins for such use include the known factors IL-1, IL-2 and IL-6 particularly. [See, e.g., PCT publications WO85/05124, and WO88/00206; and European patent application 0,188,864.]. Other potential candidates for participation in NKSF therapy may also include IL-4, G-CSF, CSF-1, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-11 or erythropoietin. Growth factors like B cell growth factor, B cell differentiation factor, or eosinophil differentiation factors may also prove useful in co-administration with NKSF.

Similarly, administration of NKSF or a subunit or fragment thereof with or prior to administration of an antibody capable of binding to the Fc receptor on NK cells may enhance ADCC therapy directed against tumors. The dosage recited above would be adjusted to compensate for such additional components in the therapeutic composition. Progress of the treated patient can be monitored by conventional methods.

The following examples illustratively describe the purification and characteristics of homogeneous human NKSF and other methods and products of the present invention. These examples are for illustration and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Serum-Free RPMI 8866 Cell-Conditioned Medium

The human B-lymphoblastoid cell line RPMI 8866 was maintained in RPMI 1640 medium containing 5% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS). For preparation of serum free conditioned medium, cells were washed and suspended (10⁶ cells/ml) in serum free RPMI 1640 medium containing 10⁻⁷ M phorbol-12-13-dibutyrate (PdBU) and cultured for 48 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂. The cell free supernatants were harvested by filtration through a 0.2 μm filter [Durapore® hydrophilic cartridge filter, Millipore, Bedford, Mass.], and Tween-20 and phenylmethylsulfonyl-fluoride (PMSF) were added to 0.02% and 0.1 mM, respectively. The cell conditioned medium was then concentrated 50 fold under pressure using an ultra-filtration cartridge [Spiral-Wound, S1, Amicon, Danvers, Mass.].

EXAMPLE 2 Purification of NKSF from Conditioned Medium

The following procedures are presently employed to obtain homogeneous NKSF protein from RPMI 8866 conditioned medium, as described in Example 1 above.

a. Anion Exchange Cartridge Chromatography

Two liters of the crude concentrated conditioned medium was diluted with distilled water to a conductivity of 6 m Os/cm and adjusted to pH 8 with 1M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8). The concentrate was then applied to five QAE Zetaprep 250 cartridges [Pharmacia] connected in parallel and previously equilibrated with 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8) at a flow rate of 150 ml/min. Unless otherwise cited, all the buffers used for purification contained 0.02% Tween-20 and 0.1 mM PMSF. The cartridges were washed with 3 liters of 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 6.8) followed by washing with 1.5 liters of 0.5M NaCl in 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 6.8) and 300 ml fractions were collected. The NKSF activity was eluted with the 0.5M NaCl-containing wash.

b. Lentil-Lectin Sepharose Chromatography

Pooled NKSF-containing fractions from two separate QAE Zetaprep elutions were pooled and applied directly to a column (2.5×15 cm) of lentil-lectin Sepharose 4B [Pharmacia] which has been equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2). After washing with five column volumes of equilibration buffer, the column was eluted with three column volumes of 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2) containing 0.2M α-methyl-D-mannopyranoside [Sigma] and 0.5M NaCl. Approximately half of the NKSF activity was bound by the column and was recovered in the fractions eluted with α-methyl-D-mannopyranoside.

c. Hydroxylapatite Chromatography

Concentrated material from the pool of NKSF activity which bound to the lentil-lectin Sepharose column was dialyzed against 1 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) containing 0.1 mM CaCl₂ and 0.15M NaCl and applied to a Biogel HT [BioRad] column (2×5 cm) previously equilibrated with 1 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) containing 0.1 mM CaCl₂. The column was washed with five column volumes of equilibration buffer and eluted with 100 ml of a linear gradient from 1 mM to 400 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) containing 0.15M NaCl. 4 ml fractions were collected and tested for NKSF activity. A single peak of activity emerged from the column between the approximately 200 mM and 300 mM potassium phosphate.

d. Heparin Sepharose Chromatography

Eluted NKSF-containing fractions from the Biogel HT column were pooled and dialyzed against 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and applied to a Heparin Sepharose [Pierce, Rockford, Ill.] column (1×10 cm). The column was washed with five column volumes of 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and eluted with the same buffer containing 1M NaCl. 3 ml fractions were collected and NKSF activity measured. Essentially all of the activity was bound by the Heparin column and recovered in the 1M NaCl wash.

e. Mono Q Chromatography

Pooled fractions from the Heparin Sepharose column were dialyzed against 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 6.8) containing 1% ethylene glycol and 0.1 mM PMSF but no Tween-20 (buffer A) and concentrated to 2 ml using a stirred cell [Amicon] with a YM 10 membrane. The sample was applied to a Mono Q (5/5) column [Pharmacia-FPLC apparatus] and eluted with a linear gradient from 0M to 1M NaCl in buffer A (pH 6.8). 0.5 ml fractions were collected and tested for NKSF activity. The activity emerged from the column as a single peak between approximately 220 mM and 270 mM NaCl.

f. Gel Filtration Chromatography

Pooled fractions containing NKSF activity from the Mono Q column were concentrated to 100 microliters by Speedvac Concentrator [Savant, Farmingdale, N.Y.] and applied to a FPLC Superose 12 column. Chromatography was run with 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) containing 0.15M NaCl, 1% ethylene glycol and 0.1 mM PMSF. Flow rate was 0.6 ml/minute and 0.5 ml fractions were collected. NKSF protein (70 kD) was separated from the approximately 37 kD protein contaminant.

Alternatively, the pooled Mono-Q fractions may be subjected to reverse-phase HPLC (C8 column) prior to the step (f) described above, to separate the protein contaminant from the active 70 kD protein.

EXAMPLE 3 Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

SDS-PAGE was performed according to the method of Laemmli [Laemmli, U. K., Nature, 227:680-685 (1970)] on 10% acrylamide slab gels (0.75 mm thickness). After electrophoresis the gels were either stained by the silver-nitrate method using a silver staining reagents [BioRad] or cut into 2 mm slices and eluted in 0.5 ml RPMI medium for 4 hours at 24° C. and assayed for NKSF activity. Apparent molecular weight was determined with protein standards, phospholipase b (94 kD), bovine serum albumin (67 kD), ovalbumin (43 kD), carbonic anhydrase (30 kD), soybean trypsin inhibitor (20 kD) and lactalbumin (14.4 kD).

SDS-PAGE analysis (non-reducing conditions) of the Mono Q column fractions (Example 2, step (e)) beginning with several fractions which eluted before the NKSF activity, continuing right through the active fractions and ending with fractions which eluted after the peak of NKSF activity, revealed that the presence of two proteins (70 kD and 37 kD) correlated with the presence of NKSF activity in the various Mono Q fractions. The active fractions were rerun on a second non-reducing gel and the proteins were eluted from the regions corresponding to the 70 kD and 37 kD bands and tested for NKSF activity. The activity all correlated with the 70 kD species indicating that this protein is NKSF.

The 70 kD species was eluted from the gel, iodinated using chloramine T [Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.] and rerun on a second SDS gel after boiling for two minutes in the presence of the reducing agent, β-mercaptoethanol (10%). Under these conditions, the 70 kD species resolved into two distinct subunits of molecular weights 40 kD and 30 kD, indicating that the native NKSF may be a disulfide-bonded heterodimer of these subunit polypeptides. Alternatively, NKSF may be a dimer formed by multiples of the larger or smaller subunits. The reduction of the native 70 kD NKSF appeared to destroy all of its ability to induce peripheral blood lymphocyte production of gamma interferon.

EXAMPLE 4 Recovery of Protein

Starting with 500 liters of RPMI 8866 cell-free conditioned medium, the final pooled active fractions from the Mono Q column contained approximately 10 μg of protein, estimated from the intensities of silver staining by control proteins analyzed in parallel on the same gel. Approximately 6 μg of this corresponded to the 70 kD NKSF protein. The estimated specific activity of the 70 kD NKSF is 1×10⁷ u/mg. The overall recovery of NKSF activity in the preparation was 2%.

EXAMPLE 5 NKSF Protein Composition

Homogeneous NKSF is reduced as described in the SDS-PAGE example above and digested with trypsin. Alternatively, non-reduced NKSF may be obtained from a reverse-phase HPLC column and digested with trypsin. Nine tryptic fragments are isolated having the following amino acid sequences:

Fragment 1--Leu-Thr-Ile-Gln-Val

Fragment 2--Lys-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Tyr-Thr

Fragment 3--Ile-Trp-Glu-Leu-Lys

Fragment 4--Leu-Met-Asp-Pro-Lys

Fragment 5--Val-Met-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Asn-Ala

Fragment 6--Ala-Val-Ser-Asn-Met-Leu-Gln-Lys

Fragment 7--Asn-Ala-Ser-Ile-Ser-Val

Fragment 8--Thr-Phe-Leu-Arg

Fragment 9--Asp-Ile-Ile-Lys-Pro-Asp-Pro-Pro-Lys.

Additionally, the amino acid sequences of the amino termini of each subunit of NKSF were determined from the isolated 40 kD and 30 kD species of NKSF after reduction, as described in Example 3. The amino terminal sequence from the 40 kD subunit was as follows: Ile-Trp-Glu-Leu-Lys-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr-Val-Val-Glu-Leu-Asp-Trp-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Ala-Pro-Gly-Glu-Met. The amino terminal sequence above as well as Fragments 1-3 and 7-9 proved to be derived from the amino acid sequence of the clone of larger subunit identified in FIGS. 1A-1D above.

The amino terminal sequence from the 30 kD smaller subunit was as follows: Arg-Asn-Leu-Pro-Val-Ala-Thr-Pro-Asp-Pro-Gly-Met-Phe-Pro. Fragments 4, 5 and 6 proved to be derived from the amino acid sequence of the clone of the smaller subunit identified in FIGS. 2A-2C above.

Probes consisting of pools of oligonucleotides or unique oligonucleotides are designed according to the method of R. Lathe, J. Mol. Biol., 183(1):1-12 (1985). The oligonucleotide probes are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer.

Because the genetic code is degenerate (more than one codon can code for the same amino acid) a mixture of oligonucleotides must be synthesized that contains all possible nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence of the tryptic fragment. It may be possible in some cases to reduce the number of oligonucleotides in the probe mixture based on codon usage because some codons are rarely used in eukaryotic genes, and because of the relative infrequency of the dinucleotide CpG in eukaryotic coding sequences [see J. J. Toole et al, Nature, 312:342-347 (1984)]. The regions of the amino acid sequences used for probe design are chosen by avoiding highly degenerate codons where possible. The oligonucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer and the probes are then radioactively labelled with polynucleotide kinase and ³² P-ATP.

A cDNA encoding the small subunit of NKSF was identified by screening a cDNA library (prepared in lambda Zap; Stratagene cloning systems, La Jolla, Calif.) made from polyadenylated RNA from PdBu induced 8866 cells (Univ. of Pennsylvania Cell Center) using established techniques (see Toole et al cited above). The screening was carried out using oligonucleotides with sequence predicted by those tryptic peptides not contained within the previously cloned cDNA coding for the 40 kD protein as probes. Recombinants from this library are plated and duplicate nitrocellulose replicas made of the plates. The oligonucleotides are kinased with ³² P gamma ATP and hybridized to the replicas.

In particular two pools of oligonucleotides were synthesized based on the peptide Val-Met-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Asn-Ala. The sequences in one pool of 17 mers were derived from the peptide sequence Met-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Asn-Ala and those in the second from Val-Met-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Asn. Clones which hybridized to the first pool of oligonucleotides were hybridized with the second pool. Hybridizations were performed at 48° C. in a buffer containing 3M TMAC. Filters were subsequently washed in 3M TMAC, 50 mM Tris pH 8 at 50° C. [See K. A. Jacobs et al, Nucl. Acids Res., 16:4637-4650 (1988).] Duplicate positives were plaque purified. Two clones were identified which hybridized to both pools, p35nksf9-1-1, and p35nksf14-1-1, described above.

The sequence and computer translations of cDNA clone p35nksf14-1-1 is shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. It includes all the peptide sequences identified in tryptic digests of purified NKSF not found in the 40 kD subunit protein (underlined) as well as the amino terminal sequence of the purified 30 kD subunit (underlined).

To obtain a full length cDNA clone for the 40 kD subunit of NKSF, cDNA that had been previously prepared from 8866 polyadenylated RNA was cloned into λZAP as described above. Two hundred thousand recombinants from this library were plated, duplicate nitrocellulose filters were prepared and screened with a random primed ³² P labeled DNA fragment, the sequence of which is within pNK-6. The probing was done using standard stringent hybridization and washing conditions. Three duplicate positive plaques resulted from this screen. The plaques were replated and reprobed using the above probe and conditions to clonally isolate the plaques. The three isolates were then probed with a ³² P end-labeled oligo dT probe (pd(T)₁₂₋₁₈, Pharmacia). This hybridization was done in 6XSSC, 5× Denhardt's solution, and carrier DNA plus labeled probe at room temperature. One of the three isolates, pNK162, hybridized to the oligo dT probe and was sequenced.

Using standard restriction digestion and subcloning techniques, NKSF clones pNK-6 and pNK162 were subcloned together in frame for transcription and translation and ligated into the pXM expression vector for COS expression. The resultant clone, pNK40-4 (FIGS. 1A-1D) is believed to contain the full length cDNA for the 40 kD NKSF subunit.

EXAMPLE 6 Expression of Recombinant Human NKSF

To produce NKSF, the DNAs encoding its subunits are transferred into appropriate expression vectors, of which numerous types are known in the art for mammalian, insect, yeast, fungal and bacterial expression, by standard molecular biology techniques. One such vector for mammalian cells is pXM [Y. C. Yang et al, Cell, 47:3-10 (1986)]. This vector contains the SV40 origin of replication and enhancer, the adenovirus major late promoter, a cDNA copy of the adenovirus tripartite leader sequence, a small hybrid intervening sequence, an SV40 polyadenylation signal and the adenovirus VA I gene, in appropriate relationships to direct the high level expression of the desired cDNA in mammalian cells [See, e.g., Kaufman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:689-693 (1985)]. The pXM vector is linearized with the endonuclease enzyme XhoI and subsequently ligated in equimolar amount separately to the cDNA encoding the NKSF subunits that were previously modified by addition of synthetic oligonucleotides [Collaborative Research, Lexington, Mass.] that generate Xho I complementary ends to generate constructs for expression of each subunit of NKSF.

Another vector for mammalian expression, pEMC3(1) can be made by simple modification of the pEMC2B1 vector, described below. pEMC3(1) differs from pEMC2B1 by three restriction sites, SmaI, SalI, XbaI, in the polylinker region. To make pEMC3(1), these three restriction sites are inserted between the PstI and EcoRI restriction sites of pEMC2B1 by conventional means.

pEMC2B1 may be derived from pMT2pc which has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. (USA) under Accession Number ATCC 40348. The DNA is linearized by digestion of the plasmid with PstI. The DNA is then blunted using T₄ DNA polymerase. An oligonucleotide 5' TGCAGGCGAGCCTGAA TTCCTCGA 3' is then ligated into the DNA, recreating the PstI site at the 5' end and adding an EcoRI site and XhoI site before the ATG of the DHFR cDNA. This plasmid is called pMT21. pMT21 is cut with EcoRI and XhoI which cleaves the plasmid at two adjacent cloning sites. An EMCV fragment of 508 base pairs was cut from pMT₂ ECAT₁ [S. K. Jong et al, J. Virol., 63:1651-1660 (1989)] with the restriction enzymes EcoRI and TaqαI. A pair of oligonucleotides 68 nucleotides in length were synthesized to duplicate the EMCV sequence up to the ATG. The ATG was changed to an ATT, and a C is added, creating a XhoI site at the 3' end. A TaqαI site is situated at the 5' end. The sequences of the oligonucleotides were: 5' CGAGGTTAAAAAACGTCTAGGCCCCCCGAACCACGGGGACGTGGTTTTCCTTT GAAAAACACGATTGC 3' and its complementary strand.

Ligation of the pMT21 EcoRI-to-XhoI fragment to the EMCV EcoRI-to-TaqαI fragment and to the TaqαI/XhoI oligonucleotides produced the vector pEMC2B1. This vector contains the SV40 origin of replication and enhancer, the adenovirus major late promoter, a cDNA copy of the majority of the adenovirus tripartite leader sequence, a small hybrid intervening sequence, an SV40 polyadenylation signal and the adenovirus VA I gene, DHFR and β-lactamase markers and an EMC sequence, in appropriate relationships to direct the high level expression of the desired cDNA in mammalian cells.

The two different cDNAs are expressed simultaneously in the same host or independently in different hosts. In the latter case, the subunits are purified separately and the final active NKSF is assembled by renaturation of the individual subunits.

a. Mammalian Cell Expression

To obtain expression of the NKSF protein for use in the assays described below, the constructs containing the cDNAs for the 40 kD and 30 kD (smaller version) subunits were cloned separately into the mammalian expression vector pEMC3(1) and together introduced into COS cells by calcium phosphate coprecipitation and transfection. ³⁵ S methionine labelled proteins (4 hr pulse, 2 days after transfection) of approximately 80 kD (nonreduced) and 40 kD and 30 kD (reduced) are present in PAGE gels of COS cotransfectant conditioned medium but not in negative control transfectants. The conditioned media from the COS cotransfectants collected 48 hrs after transfection, was active in the gamma interferon (IFNγ) induction assay (see Example 7a).

Further evidence that the activity was identical to that purified from 8866 conditioned medium comes from the observations that the cotransfected conditioned media synergizes with IL2 in the IFNγ induction assay and that polyclonal rabbit antiserum (1:100 dilution) to the NKSF heavy chain, blocks the activity in the cotransfectant as well as RPMI 8861 conditioned medium. The antiserum was produced by immunizing rabbits with NKSF heavy chain purified from conditioned media from COS cells transfected with the NKSF heavy chain cDNA (cloned in pEMC 3(1)).

When the pNK40-4 plasmid was separately transfected into COS cells, the supernatant was collected and assayed, and the cells pulse labeled with ³⁵ S cysteine. The labeled protein was run on an 11% acrylamide gel under standard reducing and nonreducing conditions. The unlabeled supernatant from this transfection with pNK40-4 was inactive in the gamma interferon induction assay and in the cell cytotoxicity assay, which were performed as described below in Example 8.

The mammalian cell expression vectors described herein may be synthesized by techniques well known to those skilled in this art. The components of the vectors, e.g. replicons, selection genes, enhancers, promoters, and the like, may be obtained from natural sources or synthesized by known procedures. See, Kaufman et al, J. Mol. Biol., 159:511-521 (1982); and Kaufman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 82:689-693 (1985). Exemplary mammalian host cells include particularly primate cell lines and rodent cell lines, including transformed cell lines. Normal diploid cells, cell strains derived from in vitro culture of primary tissue, as well as primary explants, are also suitable. Candidate cells need not be genotypically deficient in the selection gene so long as the selection gene is dominantly acting. For stable integration of the vector DNAs, and for subsequent amplification of the integrated vector DNAs, both by conventional methods, CHO cells may be employed. Alternatively, the vector DNA may include all or part of the bovine papilloma virus genome [Lusky et al, Cell, 36:391-401 (1984)] and be carried in cell lines such as C127 mouse cells as a stable episomal element. Other suitable mammalian cell lines include but are not limited to, HeLa, COS-1 monkey cells, mouse L-929 cells, 3T3 lines derived from Swiss, Balb-c or NIH mice, BHK or HaK hamster cell lines.

Where the two subunits require simultaneous expression in mammalian cells, the two cDNAs may be introduced into the cells using two different selectable genes or markers. As discussed below in Example 7, this can readily be achieved in CHO cells using the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene as one marker and adenosine deaminase (ADA) as the other marker. Any combination of two genes which can be independently selected in any mammalian cell line are useful for this purpose. For example, a CHO cell line is independently developed for expression of one subunit under ADA selection and a different cell line is developed for expression of the other subunit under DHFR selection. The cell lines are fused in polyethylene glycol under double selection to yield stable lines expressing both subunits. Alternatively, the DNAs are introduced simultaneously or sequentially into the same cells, thereby yielding lines expressing active NKSF.

It is also possible that multicistronic vectors encoding both subunits with a single selectable marker might yield cells in which both subunits can be coamplified with one selective drug. Additionally, this effect may be achieved by simple cotransfection of cells simultaneously with separate vectors.

Stable transformants are then screened for expression of the product by standard immunological, biological or enzymatic assays. The presence of the DNA and mRNA encoding the NKSF polypeptides may be detected by standard procedures such as Southern blotting and RNA blotting. Transient expression of the DNA encoding the polypeptides during the several days after introduction of the expression vector DNA into suitable host cells, such as COS-1 monkey cells, is measured without selection by activity or immunologic assay of the proteins in the culture medium.

One skilled in the art can also construct other mammalian expression vectors comparable to the pEMC3(1) vector by, e.g., inserting the DNA sequences of the NKSF subunits from the respective plasmids with appropriate enzymes and employing well-known recombinant genetic engineering techniques and other known vectors, such as pXM, pJL3 and pJL4 [Gough et al., EMBO J., 4:645-653 (1985)] and pMT2 (starting with pMT2-VWF, ATCC #67122; see PCT application PCT/US87/00033). The transformation into appropriate host cells of these vectors with both NKSF subunits (either as separate vecotrs or in the same vector) can result in expression of the NKSF polypeptides.

b. Bacterial Expression Systems

Similarly, one skilled in the art could manipulate the sequences encoding the NKSF subunits by eliminating any mammalian regulatory sequences flanking the coding sequences and inserting bacterial regulatory sequences to create bacterial vectors for intracellular or extracellular expression of the NKSF subunits of the invention by bacterial cells. The DNA encoding the NKSF polypeptides may be further modified to contain different codons to optimize bacterial expression as is known in the art. Preferably the sequences encoding the mature NKSF subunits are operatively linked in-frame to nucleotide sequences encoding a secretory leader polypeptide permitting bacterial expression, secretion and processing of the mature NKSF polypeptides, also by methods known in the art. The simultaneous expression of both subunits of NKSF in E. coli using such secretion systems is expected to result in the secretion of the active heterodimer. This approach has yielded active chimeric antibody fragments [See, e.g., Bitter et al, Science, 240:1041-1043 (1988)].

Alternatively, the individual subunits are expressed in the mature form separately from the two different cDNAs in E. coli using vectors for intracellular expression and the subunits are isolated separately, mixed and refolded by procedures well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,922. The compounds expressed through either route in bacterial host cells may then be recovered, purified, and/or characterized with respect to physicochemical, biochemical and/or clinical parameters, all by known methods.

c. Insect or Yeast Cell Expression

Similar manipulations can be performed for the construction of an insect vector for expression of NKSF polypeptides in insect cells [See, e.g., procedures described in published European patent application 155,476]. If the NKSF subunits are derived from a single cDNA, this cDNA will be expressed in insect cells. Alternatively, if the NKSF subunits are derived from two different cDNAs, each subunit is separately inserted into an insect cell vector and the two resulting vectors co-introduced into insect cells to express biologically active NKSF.

Similarly yeast vectors are constructed employing yeast regulatory sequences to express either the individual NKSF subunits simultaneously, or, if the protein is derived from a single precursor, the cDNA encoding that precursor, in yeast cells to yield secreted extracellular active NKSF heterodimer. Alternatively the individual subunits may be expressed intracellularly in yeast, the individual polypeptides isolated and finally, refolded together to yield active NKSF. [See, e.g., procedures described in published PCT application WO 86/00639 and European patent application EP 123,289.]

EXAMPLE 7 Construction of CHO Cell Lines Expressing High Levels of NKSF

One method for producing high levels of the NKSF protein of the invention from mammalian cells involves the construction of cells containing multiple copies of the two cDNAs encoding the individual NKSF subunits.

Because the two NKSF polypeptides are each derived from separate mRNAs, each corresponding cDNA must be expressed simultaneously in CHO cells. Two different selectable markers, e.g., DHFR and ADA, may be employed. One of the cDNAs is expressed using the DHFR system [Kaufman and Sharp, J. Mol. Biol., (1982) supra.] using, e.g., the vector pEMC3(1) to express one of the NKSF subunits and DHFR. The second subunit is expressed using a second vector, e.g. pMT3SV2ADA [R. J. Kaufman, Meth. Enzymol., 185:537-566 (1990)]. Plasmid pMT3SV2ADA also directs the expression of ADA in mammalian cells. The first vector construct containing one subunit is transfected into DHFR-deficient CHO DUKX-BII cells. The second vector construct containing the second subunit is transfected into a second CHO cell line. The transfected cells are selected for growth in increasing concentrations of methotrexate beginning with approximately 5 nM with subsequent step-wise increments up to 100 μM for the DHFR marker, or in 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCF) for the ADA marker beginning with 100 nM with subsequent step-wise increments up to 10 μM. The expression of the individual cDNAs (one subunit under DHFR selection in one cell line and the other subunit under ADA selection in a second cell line) is assayed through a combination of mRNA blotting to test for transcription and immunoanalysis to test for protein production. The cells which express one of the subunits under ADA selection and the cells which express the other subunit under DHFR selection are finally fused in polyethylene glycol using methods well established in the art to yield a single cell line, resistant to both dCF and MTX and expressing both subunits to yield biologically active NKSF.

Another presently preferred method of expression is based on the development of a single cell line expressing both subunits. A first vector containing one subunit, e.g., the first vector described above, is transfected into a selected CHO cell line and the expression of the subunit is amplified under drug selection as described above. Thereafter the second vector containing the other subunit is transfected into the cell line which already contains amplified first vector. The cDNA expressing the other subunit, e.g., the second vector described above, may be introduced under a second drug selection. The second vector is then amplified by the same techniques, resulting in a single cell line expressing both subunits simultaneously. (See, e.g., published PCT International Application WO088/08035 for an exemplary description of independently amplifying a first gene linked to a DHFR gene and a second gene linked to an ADA gene.)

In another method, two vectors constructs may be designed, e.g., a pEMC3(1) construct containing one subunit and the DHFR gene and a second pEMC3(1) construct containing the second subunit and the DHFR gene. The two pEMC3(1) constructs expressing both NKSF subunits may be mixed and the mixture transfected into CHO cells. The cells are then amplified in MTX as described above to obtain a cell line producing both subunits. Alternatively two drug markers may be employed in this method and the combined selection of both drugs may be used and transformants tested for NKSF activity directly to obtain cell lines expressing the heterodimer.

Still a further alternative is the development of a multicistronic vector encoding both subunits and one drug selection marker. Transfection of this vector and its amplification might more rapidly yield high expressing cell lines.

In any of the expression systems described above, the resulting cell lines can be further amplified by appropriate drug selection, resulting cell lines recloned and the level of expression assessed using the gamma interferon induction assay described herein.

EXAMPLE 8 Biological Activities of Human NKSF

The following assays were performed using either the homogeneous NKSF described in Example 2 or a partially purified version of NKSF. The recombinant version of the molecule is expected to exhibit NKSF biological properties in these same assays or other assays.

When fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced blasts are cultured with NKSF, significant amounts of gamma interferon are detected in the supernatant. Moreover, NKSF synergizes with IL-2, phorbol dibutyrate (PdBu), and PHA in inducing gamma interferon production. Northern blot analyses show that NKSF, alone or in combination with other factors, induces accumulation of gamma interferon mRNA. Gamma interferon message was found in both purified T and NK populations. Preincubation with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), leads to a superinduction of gamma interferon mRNA following stimulation with NKSF. HLA-DR(+) accessory cells are required for gamma interferon production by T and NK cells. Induction of gamma interferon mRNA can be detected as early as 1 hour after treatment with NKSF of PHA blasts. The details of the assay are described below.

a. Gamma Interferon Induction Assay

NKSF activity was measured by the induction of gamma interferon (gamma-IFN) expression in cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). In the assay, 100 μl of human PBLs suspended (10⁷ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 culture medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FCS was added to 100 μl of sample to be tested in a microtiter plate [U-bottom, 96-well, Costar, Cambridge, Mass.] and incubated for 18 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂. Samples to be tested included purified NKSF, dialyzed cell free supernatant from 48 hour phorbol diester stimulated RPMI 8866 cells, and recombinant IL-2 [Genetics Institute, Inc., PCT application WO85/05124]. After incubation, 100 μl of cell free supernatant was withdrawn from each well and the level of gamma-IFN produced measured by radioimmunoassay [Centocor Gamma Interferon Radioimmunoassay, Centocor, Malvern, Pa.]. One unit of NKSF per ml is the concentration required to produce one-half of the maximal gamma-IFN produced in the presence of optimal concentrations of NKSF.

There was a linear positive correlation between the amount of gamma-IFN produced in each well to the amount of NKSF in culture.

In addition to gamma-IFN, NKSF induces T and NK cells to produce GM-CSF and tumor necrosis factor. The assay of production of these cytokines is performed as above and the supernatant is assayed for the presence of the cytokines by specific biological assays or by radioimmunoassays [Cuturi et al, J. Exp. Med., 365:1581-1594 (1987)]. Alternatively, the induction of the cytokine genes is measured by evaluating the accumulation of mRNA transcripts of the three cytokines in the lymphocytes treated with NKSF. Lymphocytes are cultured for 4 to 18 hours with NKSF, RNA is extracted by established methods, fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis, blotted on nitrocellulose, and hybridized with ³² P-labeled cDNA probes for the IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, or tumor necrosis factor genes (Northern blotting). Extent of hybridization is determined by autoradiography and densitometry.

NKSF induces production of IFN-gamma and TNF from purified human NK cells. When assayed as described under the gamma interferon induction assay of part (a) above, NK cells are able to lyse various target cells by two mechanisms. One mechanism is spontaneous lysis, in the absence of specific sensitization, of a variety of target cells, including leukemia- and solid tumor-derived cell lines, virus-infected cells, and, in some cases, normal cell lines. The second mechanism is ADCC. Preliminary evidence indicates that NKSF may enhance the ability of NK cells to lyse more efficiently target cells coated with IgG antibodies with an Fc portion able to bind to the NK cell Fc receptor.

b. NK Assay

In order to assay for the enhancement of NK cell spontaneous cytotoxicity by NKSF, PBLs or purified NK cells (5×10⁶ cells/ml) are incubated for 18 hours in RPMI 1640 medium, 10% heat inactivated FCS, in the presence of various dilutions of NKSF. PBLs are then washed and added, at PBL-target cells ratio from 1:1 to 100:1, to 10⁴ 51 Cr-labeled target cells in a U-bottomed microtiter plate (final volume 200 μl). After 4 hours, the plates are centrifuged, the cell-free supernatant is collected and lysis of target cells is evaluated by the release of the ⁵¹ Cr-label from the cells. NKSF increases several-fold the cytotoxicity of NK cells when assayed against the following target cells: malignant hematopoietic cell lines (i.e. K562, Daudi, U937, HL-60, ML3, Molt 4, Jurkat, THP-1), solid tumor-derived cell line (rhabdomyosarcoma, melanoma), and normal foreskin-derived fibroblast strains. The enhancement of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by NKSF is not secondary to the production of IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, or IL-2, produced by the PBL treated with NKSF. The cytotoxic assay, the methods for NK cell purification, and for the quantitative evaluation of enhancement of NK cell-mediated enhancement by cytokines are described in detail in G. Trinchieri et al, J. Exp. Med., 147:1314 (1978); G. Trinchieri et al, J. Exp. Med., 160:1147 (1984); and B. Perussia et al, Natural Immunity and Cell Growth Regulation, 6:171-188 (1987).

c. ADCC Assay

In a standard antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxity assay, preliminary results show that partially purified NKSF of the present invention enhanced NK cell killing of antibody coated tumor target cells in a dose dependent manner. For antibodies capable of binding to the Fc receptor of the NK cell, the ADCC response of NK cells was enhanced by the addition of NKSF.

d. Co-mitogenic effect of NKSF

PBLs (0.5×10⁶ /ml) are cultured in 200 μl of RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat inactivated human AB serum. After 3 and 6 days the PBLs are pulsed for 6 hours with ³ H-thymidine and DNA synthesis (proliferation) is evaluated by the ³ H-thymidine uptake in the cells by collecting the cells on glass filters using a Skatron cell harvester and counting the cell-associated ³ H-Thymidine by liquid scintillation using a Packard Tricarb beta counter. NKSF has minimal effect on PBL proliferation by itself, but is strongly co-mitogenic with phytohemagglutinin (PHA-M Welcome, 1:100) at day 6 of culture and with phorbol diesters (TPA or PDBu, 10⁻⁸ or 10⁻⁷ M respectively) at both day 3 and day 6. Cell cycle analysis is performed by flow cytofluorometry (Cytofluorograf 50H, Ortho Diagnostics) using a technique combining DNA staining with immunofluorescence staining according to London et al, J. Immunol., 137:3845 (1986). This analysis has shown that the PBLs affected by the co-mitogenic effect of NKSF are T cells either CD4 or CD8 positive.

e. GM-CSF Induction Assay

Induction of GM-CSF expression in cultures of human PBLs was measured. In the assay, 100 μl of human PBLs suspended (10⁷ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 culture medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FCS was added to 100 μl of sample to be tested in a microtiter plate [U-bottom, 96-well, Costar, Cambridge, Mass.] and incubated for 18 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂. After incubation, 100 μl of cell-free supernatant was withdrawn from each well and the level of GM-CSF produced measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two murine monoclonal antibodies against human GM-CSF (3/8.20.5 and 2/3.1, supplied by Genetics Institute, Inc.) recognizing different epitopes. Using recombinant human GM-CSF (Genetics Institute, Inc.) as a standard, the detection limit of this assay was 50 pg/ml.

Numerous modifications and variations in practice of this invention are expected to occur to those skilled in the art. 

We claim:
 1. An isolated natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF) protein capable of inducing the production of gamma interferon in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and being substantially free from association with other proteinaceous materials, said protein comprising (a) a first subunit having an apparent molecular weight of approximately 40 kD under reducing conditions on SDS PAGE and comprising the amino acid sequence of FIGS. 1A-1D from amino acids 23 to 328, and (b) a second subunit having an apparent molecular weight of approximately 30-35 kD under reducing conditions on SDS PAGE and comprising the amino acid sequence of FIGS. 2A-2C from amino acid 57 to
 253. 2. The protein according to claim 1 characterized biologically by a specific activity in a gamma interferon (IFN) induction assay of greater than 1×10⁷ dilution units/mg.
 3. The protein according to claim 1 having one or more of the following characteristics:(1) an apparent molecular weight under non-reducing conditions on SDS PAGE of approximately 70-80 kD; (2) an isoelectric point of 4.3 on isoelectric focusing gel; (3) an isoelectric point of 4.8 on isoelectric focusing gel; (4) elution from hydroxylapatite column as a single peak; (5) elution from heparin-sepharose column as a single peak; (6) elution from an FPLC Mono-Q column as a single peak; (7) biological activity in a granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor inducing assay with PBLs; (8) biological activity in activating NK cells to kill leukemia and tumor-derived cells; (9) biological activity in a tumor necrosis factor induction assay using phytohaemagglutinin-activated T lymphocytes; (10) co-mitogenic activity on peripheral blood T lymphocytes.
 4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a protein of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically effective vehicle.
 5. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein is homogeneous.
 6. The protein of claim 2, wherein said protein is homogeneous.
 7. A substantially pure protein comprising the amino acid sequence of FIGS. 1A-1D beginning with amino acid
 23. 8. The protein of claim 7 wherein said protein comprises the amino acid sequence of FIGS. 1A-1D.
 9. A substantially pure protein comprising the amino acid sequence of FIGS. 2A-2C beginning with amino acid
 57. 10. The protein of claim 9 wherein said amino acid sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of FIGS. 2A-2C. 